Home | About | Classes | People | Dances | Articles | Store | Photos | Audio | Video | Links | Contact

Who Are We?

The Alokli community is a diverse collection of slightly offbeat people who happen to love African music & dance (and with a few exceptions, Thai cuisine). Here's a peek at our secret identities.

Dan Gorlin

Dan Gorlin is founder and Director of Alokli West African Dance. He is a Master Drummer in the tradition of the Anlo-Ewes of West Africa. A veteran performer and educator, Dan has taught and performed in Los Angeles and the Bay Area for over 25 years, and has directed Alokli since 1985. His unique and effective style of teaching has introduced thousands of children and adults to African music and culture.

Dan has taught African dance-drumming at California Institute of the Arts (summer youth programs), UCLA extension classes, Marin Shakespeare summer programs, and continues to teach ongoing classes at several Bay Area schools and recreation centers. Dan has directed or participated in hundreds of African music performances on stages including the Marin Civic Center Auditorium, Alice Arts Center (Oakland), Fillmore West (San Francisco), Zellerbach Auditorium (Berkeley), and Wilshire Ebel Theater (Los Angeles). Dan is the author of Alokli's Songs of West Africa songbook and is currently recording a series of traditional music CDs.

Dan's day job usually has something to do with computers. He is the author of several award-winning computer games published through Broderbund Software, including the international mega-hit "Choplifter".
Contact Dan Gorlin

Rebekka Maestre

Rebekka Maestre is Dance Director of Alokli. Rebekka has been dancing since she was very small. She has studied and performed dance & movement styles from all over the world including Jazz, Blues, Modern, Ballet, Northern Indian, Yoga, Martial Arts, Salsa, Hip Hop, Improvisation, and of course West African. She loves the music and dance of Ghana because dance, percussion, and songs are woven together into a beautiful and life-strengthening experience. She has been studying Anlo-Ewe music & dance since 1980 and it is a part of her everyday life.

Rebekka dances with C.K. Ladzekpo's African Music & Dance Ensemble, and has been a member of the Ancient Modern Performance Company for 10 years. She owns a local community shoe and gift store (Maloca Shoes), teaches workshops to help others achieve their life goals, and works with special needs children.
Contact Rebekka Maestre

C.K. Ladzekpo

C.K. Ladzekpo is Director of the African Music & Dance Ensemble in Berkeley, California, and a professor at University of California, Berkeley since 1974. He is a Master Anlo-Ewe Drummer and Dancer and a scholar of sub-saharan African music.

C.K. is not technically affiliated with Alokli, but we list him to acknowledge the incredible support and guidance he has given us over the years. Most Alokli ensemble members have studied and/or performed with C.K. at some point in their lives, and if they haven't we nag them until they do. C.K. currently teaches classes at U.C. Berkeley and at the East Bay Center for the Performing Arts, among others. His classes and performances are highly recommended if you live in the San Francisco Bay Area.
C.K. Ladzekpo's Website

Other Members

These people are either current or past members of our community. Website or email info is included when available. Got more information? Please mail me and I'll add it.

Now on sale!